Infrastructure and Back Up Support

There are many additional safety features we have considered and built into our heli skiing program. For example, West Coast Helicopters and Bella Coola Heli Sports have set up a system of radio repeaters to cover the entire 10,700 sq/km of heli skiing tenure to ensure reliable communications at all times.

Also, even though the heli and guides carry a carefully prescribed list of rescue equipment, we have stashed additional equipment at numerous locations through out our ski area to make it easily and quickly accessible in the case of an emergency.

During most weeks we have two or even three helicopters operating in the valley. This of course offers extra back up, but on those occasions that there is only one helicopter flying, we have a list of all the helis based within a reasonable flying radius and have forwarded them copies of our rescue plan.

Finally, we are very fortunate to have a hospital based in the Bella Coola valley. For the most part, our Tweedsmuir Lodge and Big Mountain clients and staff are never more then a 20 minute flight from professional medical care. Our Pantheon base is a bit further from the hospital, but because of the magic of helicopters, clients and staff are still within a 40 minute flight to medical care.